National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2008

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is fast approaching! During NCVRW (April 13–19, 2008), communities across the United States will honor victims of crime through candlelight vigils and other ceremonies and will raise awareness of the needs of victims.

Although crime prevention and victim service efforts may appear to be separate issues, they are linked. Victims of crime are at risk for being re-victimized, and teen victims are at greater risk than their peers for trying alcohol and drugs, fighting at school, and engaging in other dangerous activities. Providing counseling and advocacy services to victims can help mitigate these negative effects and reduce their risk for future victimization.

Raising awareness of victimization and available victim services is an important element of crime prevention. Furthermore, law enforcement officers, educators, parents, and community center staff who teach young people about crime and violence prevention are in a position to receive reports from youth about victimization. These adults should know how to respond effectively to teens who disclose victimization.

To make the celebration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week part of your crime prevention efforts, consider taking the following steps:

• Download the NCVRW Resource Guide. The guide features tools for public outreach, including camera-ready art and sample press releases, statistics on victimization, and other information. Access web banners, posters, and the theme DVD at that same site.
• Join community efforts to celebrate NCVRW. Promote events via your agency’s website, offer to exhibit or provide resources at events, and attend events with colleagues and friends.
• Visit the website of the National Center for Victims of Crime. The website provides information, publications, fact sheets, and training on issues such as stalking, domestic/dating violence, and witness intimidation. The National Center also operates a helpline for victims (800-FYI-CALL) and maintains a database of victim service providers.
• Speak with youth about victimization. Tell them that crime and abuse is never the victim’s fault; no one deserves to be victimized (even if a person makes a bad choice, like drinking at a party). Help teens identify trusted adults they can talk to about victimization.
• Identify victim service providers in your community. Contact one service provider to learn more about the agency’s work.
• Review your agency’s policies and procedures for working with victims or managing reports of victimization. How do those policies and procedures address issues such as confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and showing respect for the victim?
• Ask if your agency is prepared to assist teenage victims of crime, victims from different ethnic groups, victims with limited proficiency in English, and victims with disabilities? How can local victim service providers assist your agency in supporting those victims?
• Investigate opportunities for training so staff at your agency can better respond to reports of victimization and support victims of crime and abuse.